How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with a short smokestack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout the house.
When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still generate a lot of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood was used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is an affordable option for many people. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to choose only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to also look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much of the available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
It is also important to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves that are installed directly inside your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then circulated through a system of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and can reduce your energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Remember that only dry, seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from polluting the environment and damaging your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned but it is absorbed by other trees and plants, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollution.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal to relax in winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved and are an eco-friendly option for heating your home.
However, a wood stove is not without its drawbacks. Wood smoke contains tiny air particles that can aggravate the symptoms of certain health conditions, such as heart and lung problems. These particles can also contribute to climate change and contaminate water supplies. It is important to use only seasoned firewood in your outdoor wood burner. If your wood isn't seasoned, it will release more smoke, which can irritate those with sensitive respiratory systems.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and reduce the need for propane, oil, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as environmentally friendly, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials to function properly.
However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of its low cost and green credentials. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than many other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the environment should talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most effective models available that are efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. woodburner stove is therefore important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe and wood-burning appliance regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home or other buildings on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. To minimize the risk of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, like paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, and those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can also cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are not closed according to the weather or winds. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire.
It's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every room of your home and test them frequently. It is also recommended to create a family evacuation plan and practice it at the very least once a month. For assistance with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating your home and creating a cozy warm space in your home. Like any appliance you use regularly they need some attention to ensure that they are running smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most use from it. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You should also make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you begin cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel, as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps keep from the build-up of a substance which can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort to clean.
You will also need to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash in metal containers rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. They could explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Smoke from your wood stove may require to be controlled on a regular basis, dependent on the type of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If you notice smoke it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers and is probably a job that should be left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.